Page 23 of Gone Hunting

The modern stone farmhouse my father built for my mother waits in darkness.

“Something’s wrong,” I say, moving faster.

“How do you know?” Celia asks.

“I don’t know. It just is,” I say, rushing forward.

I swing open the doors and hurry in. “You don’t lock your doors?” Celia asks.

My pack drops to the floor as I kick off my shoes. “No. The wards surrounding the house are stronger than the ones along the perimeter.”

I stop when Celia remains behind the threshold. “I don’t know if I should come in. My feet are filthy.”

Mud cakes them, and they’re still a little bloody from her trek through the mountain. I could care less and so will my parents. I reach for her hand and help her inside. “It’s all right,” I assure her.

“Mom? Dad?” I call out.

Celia takes in the foyer, hugging herself. “Maybe they’re not home. All the lights are out.”

I wait and listen. “That doesn’t mean anything. Sometimes, they’re just upstairs having sex.”

“Excuse me?”

When I don’t hear them or anyone else, I pad into the kitchen, lifting the note my father left by the phone.

Aric,

Strange activity has been reported along the borders of Colorado. Witchcraft, very strong and unlike any we’ve seen, has stirred dark forces. Tornados and earthquakes are erupting all over the state.

Your mother and I are tasked with overseeing the packs prowling the affected areas and responding to reported threats in turn.Callwhen you arrive. The amount of magic used is greatly affecting the phone and power lines. Don’t worry. We’re fine, and all dark activity is occurring far from home.

~ Dad

“All dark activity is occurring far from home,” I mutter. “Yeah. Sure it is.”

Celia eases away from where she was reading the note. “What’s happening?” she asks. “And why do I feel like I’m a part of it?”

There’s nothing I’d like more than to assure her she has nothing to do with this mess. But the wind brought her here like Dorothy, and it threw the bogeymen and natural disasters across the Yellow Brick Road. “We’ll figure it out,” I promise her. “But first, I need to make acall.”

Celia follows me to the rear doors leading out to the terrace. “I thought the phones aren’t working?”

The wink and grin I cast her over my shoulder cause her to trip over her feet. “You’ll see,” I tell her.

The wind barrels through as we step onto the terrace, smacking hard against the side of the house. I press my hands against the dark wood railing and take a long deep breath, tapping into my inner beast.

I bow my spine and throw my head back, releasing a howl from deep in my soul, that primal place onlyweresand our ancestors have ever had the privilege of knowing. As I finish, I ease slowly forward, leaning my forearms against the railing.

The first to respond is my father, his deep baritone howl as familiar as his chuckle and quick wit. My mother follows, her howl lighter and as gentle and comforting as her touch.

Liam is next, hiscallending with an excited yip. Gemini’s ensues right after, his voice louder and clearer with the help of his twin. Koda is last, the mournful way his beast sings, and the direction hiscallcomes from erasing my smile and alerting me he’s home. He chose not to stay with our friends. Given what happened, I imagine he wanted to make certain his mother was safe.

I only wish she cared for his safety the same way.

The wind blows harder, this time against our faces. Celia’s hair cascades behind her. Until now, I didn’t realize her eyes were closed.

She opens them slowly. “That was beautiful,” she says, her eyes sparkling against the pale moon. “How can your family hear you now, when they weren’t able to before?”

“My parents and I share a stronger bond, because we’re pures, and because they’re mated. We also share a strong connection to our home and this land.” I hadn’t much thought about how special our family ties are until I explain them to Celia. The strong reminder of how lucky I am makes me smile. “On a clear day or night, they can hear me from hundreds of miles away.”

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